Vizinho
Amar o próximo é um dos mandamentos centrais do evangelho. A Bíblia nos ensina que nossos vizinhos são aqueles a quem devemos servir, apoiar e encorajar com amor genuíno.
O mandamento do amor ao próximo
Jesus resume a Lei no amor a Deus e ao próximo. Amar o vizinho como a si mesmo é cumprir toda a Lei.
31 The second is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: love therefore is the fulfilment of the law.
12 All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Amor em ação
O amor verdadeiro se mostra em ações concretas: hospitalidade, generosidade e cuidado com os necessitados ao nosso redor.
1 Let love of the brethren continue. 2 Forget not to show love unto strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
27 Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
8 above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covereth a multitude of sins:
10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith.
11 For this is the message which ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another:
34 A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
Edificação e encorajamento mútuo
Somos chamados a encorajar uns aos outros, carregar os fardos alheios e buscar o bem do próximo acima do próprio interesse.
11 Wherefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as also ye do.
2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
2 Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, unto edifying.
24 Let no man seek his own, but each his neighbor’s good.
10 In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another;
12 and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you;
Humildade, perdão e convivência
O relacionamento com o próximo exige humildade, paciência e disposição para perdoar. Não devemos julgar, mas acolher com compaixão.
3 doing nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself;
13 forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye:
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge ye this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock in his brother’s way, or an occasion of falling.
1 Wherefore thou art without excuse, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest dost practise the same things.
8 Finally, be ye all likeminded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tenderhearted, humbleminded:
5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind.
14 To him that is ready to faint kindness should be showed from his friend;
Even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.